English Grammar: Usages of 'each' and 'every'

Usage of "Each" and "Every"

"Each" and "Every" are determiners used to refer to individual members of a group. While they are similar, they have key differences in meaning and usage.

Each

• Usage: Refers to individual items in a group, one at a time. It emphasizes the individual.
• Structure: Generally followed by a singular noun.
• Verb Agreement: Usually takes a singular verb.

Examples:

1. Each student in the class has a unique ID.
2. She gave each child a gift.
3. Each employee must attend the meeting.
4. The teacher checked each book before handing it out.
5. Each day brings new opportunities.
6. They greeted each guest as they arrived.
7. Each participant will receive a certificate.
8. The trainer spoke to each team member individually.
9. The coach gave instructions to each player.
10. The teacher expects each assignment to be submitted on time.

Every

• Usage: Refers to all members of a group collectively, but treats them as individual entities. It emphasizes the group as a whole.
• Structure: Always followed by a singular noun.
• Verb Agreement: Usually takes a singular verb.

Examples:

1. Every student needs to submit the assignment by Friday.
2. Every house on this street has a garden.
3. She visits the gym every day.
4. Every book on the shelf is organized by genre.
5. The company organizes a meeting every month.
6. Every child in the school received a gift.
7. Every car in the parking lot was inspected.
8. Every employee is required to attend the training session.
9. Every dog in the park was well-behaved.
10. He enjoys every moment of his vacation.

Differences between "Each" and "Every":

1. Focus:

   • "Each" focuses on individual members of a group.
   • "Every" focuses on the group as a whole, implying all members without singling anyone out.

2. Group Size:

   • "Each" can be used for smaller or larger groups, but implies a smaller, more specific focus.
   • "Every" suggests a larger group, often used when talking about the entire group collectively.

3. Use with Two Items:

   • "Each" can be used when there are only two items.
   • "Every" is typically used for three or more items.

4. Interchangeability:

   • In some cases, "each" and "every" can be interchangeable (e.g., "Each/Every student in the class must submit an assignment"), but "each" will always give more focus on the individual, while "every" focuses on the totality.

More Examples for Clarification:

• Each:

  1. Each of the students has their own desk.
  2. Each of these books is worth reading.
  3. I spoke to each of the candidates before making a decision.
  4. Each key opens a different door.
  5. Each person in the room turned to look at her.
  6. Each team was given a different challenge.
  7. She looked at each flower carefully.
  8. Each recipe in this book is simple to follow.
  9. Each question in the test is worth 5 points.
  10. The manager knows each employee by name.

• Every:

  1. Every student has their own way of learning.
  2. Every car on this street is parked perfectly.
  3. Every year, we go on a family vacation.
  4. He reads the newspaper every morning.
  5. Every question in the survey was answered honestly.
  6. Every person in the room clapped after the performance.
  7. She checks her email every hour.
  8. Every part of the machine was cleaned.
  9. He watches every new movie that comes out.
  10. Every problem has a solution if you look hard enough.

In summary:

• Use "each" when you want to highlight individual members or items in a group.
• Use "every" when you want to refer to the entire group collectively, often implying completeness or frequency.